The shores of frozen Lake Mosvatn, on the edge of the Hardangervidda National Park, is our beautiful base for this week of isolated off track skiing. All from the doorstep of our historic accommodation. Setting out across the frozen lake, we explore the winter landscape and have the chance to develop both confidence and skill while discovering new routes and trails every day. The skiing will be off-track, the only tracks you are likely to see will be those of elk or reindeer.

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Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

We prefer not to specify in advance where we will ski each day. This is to enhance the flexibility and adapt to weather and snow conditions and to some extent the ability of each group.

Six days cross-country skiing, exploring the vast and varied terrain accessible from our accommodation on Hovden Island. Starting out across the lake, the possibilities are endless, with hills and valleys offering delightful skiing both below and above the tree line.

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 3

When choosing routes, the leader's priority will be to take in a variety of scenery and to ensure that participants become better and more confident skiers as the week progresses. However, below are examples of some of the best local routes.

Todays tour takes us to the hills and valleys under Kvamsfjellet, where the undulating terrain provides for some delightful skiing. Crossing north east, about 1km, over Mosvatn to the farm of Fornes, a settlement dating back to the Middle Ages, we ski north west and up into a valley with a string of small tarns, past some huts towards Gardar. The track then takes us up a steep and narrow incline on to the hills above the lake of Store Hovstjorni. Keeping on the hills to the west, we ski to the northern end of the lake. Here with some spectacular views, looking down on to the farms and settlements spread out along the shores of Mosvatn, we take a break. Keeping to the east of Hovstjorni, under the steep cliffs of Kvamsfjellet, we then head due south into Dalstauldalen but skiing along the undulating ridges on the west side of the valley. At the lower end of Dalstauldalen we turn west and return to Hovdeoyi and the lodge via Fornes.

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 4

Skiing due west from the lodge, and crossing 300 metres of lake to the mainland, this tour takes us up to our nearest top, Laksanuten, 1,353 m. Taking a small trail through the woods on Vaddodden, we continue west above the Laksai stream, then turning south, gradually climbing above the treeline to reach the col above the tarn of Tippetorn. From here we take the ridge north west with a final steep ascent to the first of the two tops on Laksanuten. Crossing to the main top takes another 15 mins. and depending on conditions, we take a break here. There are fine views over the Hardangervidda and east to the impressive mount Gausta. This is also a point where, if we are lucky, we may also see reindeer. The route off the top gives a wonderful descent into the upper Komdalen valley and from here we again make an easy climb to the highest point on Himmelsynnettane, 1,260m, under the imposing cliffs of Eggeskardnuten. The descent takes us down to the tarn, Eggetjorni and initially follows the Astaul stream before we turn north east for the final descent to Mosvatn. This is a wonderful 3km long downhill run! Crossing the 1km. of lake to the island of Mellomoyi, we return to Hovden and the lodge.

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 5

This trip takes us into the high wilderness above vestre Skindalen, an area of deep gorges, vertical rock faces and classic steep sided hanging valleys. Over Hovdeoyi to the north west, we descend off the island and make a short crossing of Mosvatn. Then ascending through open woods, over marshes and rounded hills we reach an open area known as Laksabotn. This is where Vonskinai drains the Vonskingjuvet Gorge. We make tracks south into the gorge and then traverse up the ridge on its west side. Here, the scenery is quite impressive. Turning north west again, we climb in under Magnusgronutan, a steep sided mountain on our right and onwards into the valley of Tjorndalen - 'Tarn valley'. Following a string of tarns, we make tracks deeper into this steep sided valley where, provided there are suitable conditions, we take a break. Continuing north west, the valley suddenly opens out high above the Skinndalen valley and we see vertical rock faces in every direction. High above us is the Skinfjell Mountain and across the valley, the isolated Skindalen farm, where Anne lives with her four cows. We return the same way, with a long descent, this time looking directly into the gorge, down to Laksatjorn but this time reaching Hovden and the lodge via a route through the woods above Vaddodden.

Essential Info

Visas

Norway

No visa required for British passport holders.

Vaccinations

Norway

There are no specific health risks.

Eating and Drinking

Breakfast, packed lunch and evening meals are included.

The food provided includes ample buffet breakfasts with tea and coffee, a packed lunch, and a 3 course dinner. Vegetarians can be catered for, however due to the remote location, it is not possible to cater for other dietary needs such as vegans.

Please check with our sales team before booking for any other special dietary requirements.

Tea, coffee and cakes are provided on your return to the lodge in the afternoon. The Mosstrond Turisthytte does not have a license to sell alcohol. Guests are however more than welcome to consume any alcohol they bring with them on the premises. We therefore recommend guests take advantage of the Duty Free available when travelling to Norway.

Weather

Mosstrond sits at approximately 1000m and at this height snow can lie from November to May, with fresh snowfalls at any time. Average daytime temperatures in winter range from 0º to - 10ºC, though they can fall as low as - 30ºC. At Christmas and New Year daylight hours are limited, with about 6 hours of good light plus twilight. By mid-February this has increased to about 8 hours and by mid-March there are about 12 hours of good daylight. At all times of the winter you can hope for periods of clear bright weather and in February and March it can become surprisingly warm in the sun. Equally, at all times you need to be ready for the occasional stormy day

Is this trip for you?

Activity Details: Cross-country skiing or Nordic Skiing is becoming one of the most popular winter sports. Using longer, thinner and lighter skis than downhill with bindings that let you lift your heel, we explore the winter landscapes away from the confines of the alpine pistes. Cross-country skiing can be undertaken on prepared tracks (loipe) or, as with this trip, off-track, allowing the group to explore the winter landscape. Exodus offers cross-country skiing holidays to suit a wide range of technical and physical levels. Our cross-country skiing grades reflect both the level of physical fitness required and the level of skiing experience required. They are comparable to the activity levels we use on our snowshoeing, cycling, activity and trekking holidays, however we believe a slightly different system is required, due to the tuition we provide on our holidays. This sets our cross-country skiing holidays apart, as we tend not to need to teach people how to ride a bike or walk. The aim remains to create groups of similar ability and fitness. Our descriptions are below, however feel free to call and speak to an expert if you are unsure which grade or type of holiday will suit you best.

At Mosstrond we offer grades 3 & 4:

Grade 3 Intermediates Equivalent Activity Level- Moderate, Level 3. A grade 3 week is ideal for those looking to push on, tackle some slightly steeper terrain and cover more ground each day. Typical groups will have a few weeks skiing behind them, be very comfortable with the basics and happy on longer day tours. Advice and tuition available on tours, as required.

Grade 4 Advanced Equivalent Activity Level Moderate Challenging, level 4. Choose this level if you can tackle ‘ups and downs’ competently, manage a controlled snowplough descent, and if you want to ski at a lively pace. You should also be able to get up swiftly and easily by yourself after a fall.

Accommodation

Mosstrond Turisthytte

The Mosstrond Turisthytte was first built 140 years ago as a boarding school for the local area. It was taken over by a group of friends and now offers a charming base for visitors. The three main buildings, the teacher's house, the pupils' accommodation and the school itself have been improved to offer comfortable twin bunk rooms and a large lounge and kitchen area. Most rooms offer panoramic views across the lake and towards the Hardangervidda National Park. Facilities are shared.

Reviews

Mosstrond Cross-country skiiing

Fantastic scenery in a remote area, making our own tracks through the snow each day. The accommodation was clean, comfortable and, most of all, very welcoming, friendly and informal. The group sat down together around a table together for dinner each evening with the guides and the two young ladies who cooked and cleaned, which gave a lovely family feel to it. The food was very good, especially the locally caught/shot Arctic Char and Reindeer and I enjoyed the cake that was served when we returned each afternoon.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

I think the best bits for me was simply the breathtaking scenery, both across the lake and from the hills that we went up. And the feeling of the skis gliding across the snow.

What did you think of your group leader?

Neil was extremely helpful, encouraging and friendly; and very knowledgeable about the area.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Ski waxes, cork and scraper - which you will need - is not included in the ski hire so take what you already have or be prepared to buy some there (about £15 for one wax, cork and scraper). You make sandwiches at breakfast for lunch but there is no chocolate bars or anything similar so if I went again I would take my own supply. After discussing what grade skier I was with an Exodus agent when I was booking we decided I was probably grade 3 - but I struggled technically on this trip and would say you should be at least grade 4 (and proficient at kick-turns, side stepping up and down steep slopes, herringbone and even probably Telemark turns in the deep sugary snow). Also, I got bad blisters on my heels from my heels sliding up and down in the stiff ski boots so in case you suffer with this as well take plenty of blister pads/plasters plus something like duct tape to keep them in place for the whole day.

Mosstrond Turisthytte

My 4th trip to Mosstrand and I enjoy it more every time I go. The skiing is off track and in some of the most spectacular scenery you will see; often you see no-one else the whole week you are there.
The host Philip & his team of family and friends make the whole experience like you are staying in a relatives house with friends around. The team guide you during the day and eat/socialise with you for all 3 meals. The meals are also prepared by the team fresh that day and using local ingredients and dishes.
Once you have visited you will find it difficult to go anywhere else. I'm already planning next year's trip.
Rob Milner

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Scenery
Feeling part of the 'family'.

What did you think of your group leader?

The team are extremely relaxed and want everyone to enjoy their trip regardless of capability

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Mosstrond

This was my third visit to Mosstrond. Snow conditions were excellent - deep powder and little wind. A good mix of days bagging peaks, leading up to the magnificent Magnusgronutane which hadn't been climbed by an Exodus group for about 4 years (due to snow conditions), with sporty descents through birch woods. Philip and Maiken Yatman treated us like family and Neil led us each day and shared his knowledge of the history of this part of Telemark. I was sad to leave .... but hope to be back.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Wednesday, 10 February started with a parhelion at breakfast. We watched the 'second sun' and rainbows for about 30 minutes and then the 'glitter' falling through the rays of the sun. The day was cold and magical ice crystals had grown everywhere. The air was so clear that day we also got views of Gausta without its hat of clouds!

What did you think of your group leader?

Neil led us most days and Philip led us on one day. Both are perfect gentlemen, knowledgeable about the area (history, community) as well as being thoroughly familiar with the terrain. Neil was able to bring out our hidden skiing talents and we were all swooping down the slopes in style (mostly thanks to the snow conditions). He was able to tailor each day's skiing programme to suit the adventurous or more laid back among us. He encouraged us to stretch ourselves and certainly helped me get my confidence on skis back.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Mosstrond is not a place for beginners. You require a certain amount of fitness and a few miles under your skis of experience, certainly if you want to go up high. If you love swishing down through birch trees, getting high for the views and are prepared for a few stretches across lakes (where the temperature can be a few degrees colder, there is more wind and could be tricky if there is not much snow on top of the ice) then you will love it.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Mosstrond turisthytte is a very comfortable and special place with a comfy lounge, books, photos of the area. You feel like you're a guest in someone's home. I'm vegetarian and had great food all week with more variety than I would cook for myself. Meiken is a fantastic cook.
Mosstrond is one of those places where you wish you could stay forever!

Varied skiing and a friendly welcome

Mosstrond offers good variety of off track skiing terrain - mountains, hills, gentler hills and of course the flat frozen lake - so I enjoyed the variation in technique and landscape.
The hut itself is comfortable and the hosts friendly, producing good home cooked meals with some nice local ingredients (char from the lake, local reindeer & elk).

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The 360 panorama from the top of Magnusgronnuten is spectacular and reveals many more peaks to try!

What did you think of your group leader?

Our group leader had a great deal of local knowledge he was happy to share and an easygoing manner.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: MOSSTROND

Snow, snow, snow, trees and tops. Excellent food and accomodation.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Being able to stay upright (most of the time) in the wonderful snow conditions. It had been two years since my last ski trip, but its like riding a bike you don't forget how but you may wobble at first.Getting back at dusk after a long day knowing there was tea and cake waiting.Setting off across the lake in a blizzard on the last day, re-enacting Scotts trip to the pole (without the ponies)!

What did you think of your group leader?

The three leaders on site were all very knowledgeable about the area and able to adapt the group makeup and routes taken to suit the groups capabilities and the weather conditions.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Make sure you have a basic grasp of cross country skiing before you go, tutition is limited. But most slopes are wide, gentle and when there is 2 metres of soft new snow, very forgiving.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: MOSSTROND

You know it is not going to be your ordinary ski holiday when you step out of your minibus in the dark, sit down on a piece of foam rubber on a trailer on the back of the skidoo and are whisked into nothingness at a temperature of around minus fifteen. Come morning, after sleep in a comfortable bunk, nothingness reveals itself as frozen lake surrounded by mountains that look like cumulous clouds, everything white apart from wavering charcoal strokes of birch trees. And it's all yours to ski - a real adventure.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The summit of Falcon's Ridge. A challenging ski up and an eye-watering ski down. Also the daily return to tea and cake. We'd ski home across the lake to 'our' island speculating what sort of cake today.

What did you think of your group leader?

Phillip is great, a ski enthusiast to his fingertips who knows the area practically rock by rock and tree by tree.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

You do need to be fit. Six hours a day on ski, going up or down most of the time. It is more demanding than downhill.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Take a couple of books and a bottle of Scotch. You may not finish the books but (with a little help from your friends) you will probably finish the Scotch.

What did you think of your group leader?

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: MOSSTROND

Classic totally off-piste skiing, making our own tracks through the woods and up to higher open ground and summits. Great views to Gausta to the south and up Mósvatn to the north, fabulous descents in deep powder, finding our own way through the trees. Remote - saw only one other person all week!Food was excellent, especially the vegetarian meals which were the best we've had in Norway.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Sunrises over Gausta at breakfast time. Great last day tour up to Lacksanuten summit, sunbathing on the top at lunch in spite of a cold start and a wonderful descent into the woods in the afternoon.

What did you think of your group leader?

Philip knows the area intimately and can tailor routes to the skills of all the party and the weather conditions. Bjorn played a major role picking the specific routes and giving technical tips. Optional telemarking coaching session mid-week. Leaders obviously knew exactly what they were doing.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Mósstrond is quite remote - no shop or bar at the hut (so bring your own!). All bedding and towels provided. A great centre if you enjoy the empty wide-open spaces. The Turisthytte has all mod cons.Lots of potential for longer days later in the season. All routes start with a (relatively) short ski across the lake; there can be a cool breeze. Make sure you take spare warm clothing for lunch stops.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Good to see Exodus running off-track holidays again! The area has huge scope for touring at high grades.

Dates & Prices

An overview of flight options

Exodus is committed to making joining our tours as easy as possible, wherever you live. We generally only block book seats from London, but this certainly does not mean that you need to fly from there. Depending on the route and airlines available, there will usually be various options available for those who want to fly from their local airport.

This page aims to provide a useful overview of the options available to our clients. However, the best flight arrangements should be tailored to your personal requirements, so please contact our Sales team for expert advice.

What kind of options do I have ?

1. We can book for you: Flights from anywhere in the world - not via London

Depending on the route, this may be direct or via an overseas hub like Amsterdam, the Middle East or elsewhere. On short haul routes there may be direct flights with low cost airlines, charter flights or scheduled airlines. Exodus can book most, but not all, of these for you. The most appropriate airline may be different to that which we use for the group flight from London, but many people now travel on different airlines and meet up with their fellow passengers at the destination.

Pros

Cons

May be the most direct route

Often the extra fare compared to the London flight is minimal.

As you will be in the hands a single airline for your entire journey, the airline will be responsible for your bags and your connections.

You may not be able to join the group transfers. However, we can usually arrange private transfers, or book your flights to try and coincide with the group transfers. See notes on transfer arrangements below.

2. We can book for you: Connecting flights from your local airport to London

Exodus can book connecting flights to London so you can join the group flight there. Connecting times will be followed according to airline advice, or as requested by clients. There are two types of fares we can use for this option: a 'through-fare' or a 'published fare'.

a) A 'through-fare' is where you will be in the main airline's care throughout. You change planes, but your bags are checked all the way through to your final destination.

b) A 'published fare' ticket is completely seperate from your onward ticket from London. It is usually cheaper than a through-fare but will need to be paid for and issued as soon as it is booked. This can be a problem if your tour has not yet reached minimum numbers. On 'published fares' neither airline is aware that you have connecting flights, so Exodus is responsible for timing your connection, not the airlines involved. The tickets are also usually non changeable and non refundable.

Pros

Cons

Depending on the fare type, Exodus or the airline is responsible for flight connections.

Through fare tickets can be expensive.

On a published fare, tickets must be issued immediately; tickets on published fares can be very difficult to change if onward flight times change; bags are not checked though to your final destination.

Published fares are non-refundable.

3. Booking some or all of the flights yourself

You can also book connecting air travel yourself, either to London, or all the way to the start point. There may be certain airlines or routes we don't have access to, so this is always an option. However, if you make your own travel arrangements you become liable for any delays, cancellations or missed connections, and Exodus is not required to offer refunds if you have trouble reaching the start of your trip.

Pros

Cons

You might find cheaper fares, or routes not available to Exodus.

You are responsible for any delays or missed connections, and the cost of the tour is not protected should you miss your flight be cancelled.

Notes on transfer arrangements

Sometimes it is possible to travel on a different airline to the group flight from London. Where this is the case, we need to think about ensuring you meet up with the group with minimum extra cost and hassle.

On certain trips, it is easy to arrive on a different flight and still meet the group at the hotel with time in hand. We can usually arrange private transfers (at extra cost) or offer advice on taking a taxi to the start hotel.

On other trips (especially in Europe), the transfer meets the group flight and then travels some distance to the first night's accommodation. Where this is the case, our Sales team will try to arrange flights that arrive before (and depart after) the group. However, we do have to make it clear in your final documentation that if your flights are delayed, the transfer cannot wait for you. While Exodus or our local operators will do what we can to help you reach the start point of the tour, any additional costs must be paid by the client.